Working as a Gastro Dietitian; its all about nutrition

    
Does it really matter what, how and when we eat and drink?  Does it effect my health?

It would seem that I am not the only one asking these questions.
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Gastroenterology as a specialism is a fascinating area. It is fast becoming the focus of scientists around the world as they seek to understand more about the impact of nutrition by investigating the gut and the microbiome; whether pre and pro-biotics have a role in our health; the complexities of the gut-brain axis i.e. the impact of the mind on our gut, to name but a few. What is surprising about organs such as the gut, the pancreas and the liver, are the integral roles they play throughout our lifetime to help us function, perform and live day-to-day.

On a more fundamental level though, you may not think twice about what you eat, choosing foods blindly from a buffet, or attending a friends wedding or even just eating out at a local cafe. You may feel full and sluggish after a large meal or ‘tender’ from over-indulging on alcohol but get over it after a day. We can choose to include the next ‘superfood’ shake or feast on fibrous fruit and vegetables to meet that elusive 30g target per day. We take those choices and our health for granted.

Sadly, for some people, this is not the case. Nutrition is far from nourishment and has become more of a nightmare.

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I have met countless patients over the years who mourn for their old relationship with food and drink; navigating through food choices to avoid experiencing terrible symptoms. Choice, this somewhat simple process dominates their lives. The impact of this can take its toll on their health both physically and mentally, even in the short-term. Indeed, some people restrict their diets to the extent which makes their health worse, without much improvement. Whether people remove food groups, add in ‘interesting’ herbal supplements or simply live off toast, our food choices when we have a medical condition that impacts on our gut, pancreas or liver, are not so simple.

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This may resonate with you?

Foods which may not be the best for our health, but are part of our culture taunt you! Conversely, foods we may deem as ‘healthy’ may have a completely different effect on you because of your medical condition. This is why I find the area of gastroenterology dietetics so fascinating and rewarding at the same time. Nutrition, (alongside any required medication) can play a huge role. So many of my patients have been amazed at the impact of a nutritional assessment to help them improve their understanding of how their nutritional (solid and liquid!) choices impact their health, and their quality of life. It is very rewarding to work with patients at all different stages in their lives, managing their condition. Sometimes they just need reassurance that they are doing everything they can, sometimes it’s starting from scratch as they have become lost. 

This is my aim with Wholefoods1st nutrition consultancy. Spending quality time navigating these ‘choices’ together and understanding what they mean to you. What, how and when we eat and drink can effect our health and particularly if we have a medical condition that complicates the picture. Sometimes making dietary changes just takes a bit of patience and trial and error, but nutrition can mean nourishment again.